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Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoMark Duncan | Associated PressBrowns receiver Josh Gordon has failed at least five drug tests since 2010. He led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards last season.

Saturday May 10, 2014 6:05 AM

A day of celebration dissolved into confusion for the Browns.

Hours after quarterback Johnny Manziel’s arrival had Cleveland's football pulse racing faster
than it had in years, a report that receiver Josh Gordon might be facing an indefinite suspension
shattered the city's collective joy.

Two sources told ESPN that Gordon tested positive for marijuana and was informed in early
winter. Gordon received a second letter in April notifying him of the pending suspension and his
right to appeal, ESPN reported.

Because Gordon already is believed to be in stage three of the NFL's substance-abuse policy, he
faces banishment from the NFL for a minimum of one calendar year. After that, he would have to
apply for reinstatement with commissioner Roger Goodell. Gordon was suspended for the first two
games of last season and docked two other game checks for failing a drug test.

It was at least his second violation of the substance-abuse policy, and at least his fifth
failed drug test since 2010, including three for marijuana in college.

Rosenhaus, reached by email, declined to comment. The Browns aren't permitted to comment per
league policy and are referring all inquiries to the NFL office.

A source told Cleveland.com that some high-level members of the Browns organization have known
about Gordon's failed test for at least a week, well in advance of Thursday's first round of the
draft. The coaches were told yesterday afternoon, the source said.

The Browns let three picks go by last night without taking a receiver to replace Gordon in the
event he’s suspended. Instead, they chose Nevada offensive lineman Joel Bitonio, outside linebacker
Christian Kirksey of Iowa and running back Terrance West of Towson.

The Browns signed two free-agent receivers in the offseason, Andrew Hawkins and Nate Burleson,
who suffered a fractured arm during voluntary minicamp but is expected to be ready for training
camp.

Gilbert ‘plays like a Brown’

The hoopla will go to Manziel. But cornerback Justin Gilbert of Oklahoma State was the first
draft pick (No. 8 overall) in the Ray Farmer-Mike Pettine era. Farmer and Pettine — each with a
defensive background — saw in Gilbert someone who “plays like a Brown,” and a cornerback to pair
with Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden.

“It’s really a list of attributes when we put that out there,” Pettine said. “It’s passion,
competiveness, tough, mentally tough, physically tough, accountable. Bundled up in that, it’s a
list of intangibles. ... It’s a definition for us.”